WHY NOT?: COTTESLOE TOWN CENTRE

Feb 15, 2018

WHY NOT?

The State of Western Australia is about to reinvigorate after a period of slower growth and subdued optimism. Nowhere is this opportunity more evident than in our Capital City and with a number of exciting initiatives underway it is an ideal time to think in a more creative and expansive way.

At Rowe Group we have decided to look as far as possible beyond the conventional norm and to test our own boundaries with some exciting ideas that might stimulate thinking about better outcomes for some well-known places.

Rowe Group wants to start a conversation about the future of our City and to look at some innovative outcomes for important public and private locations.

We want to get you thinking WHY NOT?

Over the next 12 months we will research, analyse and design plans for a number of selected locations and present these ideas to you for interest, comment and discussion. We are not saying these are the only or best options, but just ask you to think about our ideas. Do you like them? Can it be done? What if? WHY NOT? Let us know.

This is the first of our WHY NOT?

COTTESLOE TOWN CENTRE

1. ACTIVE RECREATION NODE

The reconfiguration of Railway Street and the additional east – west connection north of Forrest Avenue provides the opportunity to create a mixed recreation space which may encompass an organised sporting club such as tennis or bowls as well as informal recreation facilities.

2. NAPOLEON STREET PIAZZA

Forming a western edge for the existing main street, the Napoleon Street Piazza which is currently dominated by asphalt and vehicle parking, will provide an intimate community space.

The Napoleon Street Piazza will strengthen the pedestrian connection between the Cottesloe Station and the Town Centre, improving the quality and safety of the western edge of the existing Town Centre.

Non-residential uses will bound the periphery of the piazza, with the ability to spill into the space. Temporary uses and activities will be encouraged through the provision of appropriate amenities both in hard and soft landscaping, as well as basic access to servicing, ensuring the space is ‘event ready’.

3. VEHICLE MOVEMENTS

To ease the burden of traffic on Jarrad Street, an additional east – west vehicle connection is proposed to the north of Forrest Street. This connection will also comprise a realignment of Railway Street creating a northern precinct entry to the Cottesloe Town Centre.

Railway Street adjacent to the Town Centre will also be ‘rightsized’ to improve its pedestrian and cycling function as well as its general amenity.

The modifications to vehicle movement will result in a dispersed flow of vehicle movements through and around the Town Centre, easing the current burden placed on Jarrad Street.

Non-residential uses will bound the periphery of the piazza, with the ability to spill into the space. Temporary uses and activities will be encouraged through the provision of appropriate amenities both in hard and soft landscaping, as well as basic access to servicing, ensuring the space is ‘event ready’.

New Dwellings

To Public Realm / Recreation

New Residents

Dedicated to Development

Total Precinct Area

4. COASTAL VEGETATION CORRIDOR

Building on the strong beach side community identity, the balance of the rail corridor from the southern boundary of the Town Centre Precinct through to North Leighton will be gifted back to the community in the form of a ‘city to sea’ walk and cycling network.

This linear corridor will be vegetated with coastal species, replicating and reinstating the previous environment. This area will comprise of additional areas of informal recreation and meeting places for the community as well as providing opportunities for east-west connections re-linking the community east of Stirling Highway back to the coast.

5. COTTESLOE STATION AND ROOF FORECOURT

The redeveloped platforms of the station will remain at its current height and therefore will be at grade with the adjacent road network. The station will be accessible from both Railway Street and Curtin Avenue, as well as via the roof forecourt created by the capping of the line.

6. BRIXTON STREET RAIL CAR PARK

The existing Brixton Street Car Park will be redeveloped and decked, providing a consolidated parking station for commuters. Access to the car park will be redesigned to occur via the north bound lane of Stirling Street as well as left-in / left-out access via Jarrad Street.

The Brixton Street Car Park will provide additional open space on its roof deck, creating a second active recreation / community space node. This community space may be utilised for community gardens, an urban orchard, or for smaller active recreation activities.

7. RAIL LINE

The Fremantle Line will be lowered and capped north of the town centre, breaking down the existing barrier to east – west movements.

Mindful of the Cottesloe ‘fresh water lens’, the rail line is proposed to remain generally at grade, with the proposed built form and landscaping responding to the variation in height between Railway Street, Curtin Avenue and the top of the rail corridor.